Multi-positionable telecommunications tray

• US 10,025,055 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2015
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Czech Republic sro (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Commscope Connectivity Belgium BVBA (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.), ADC Czech Republic, s.r.o (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Alexi, Zoltan, Geling, Bernardus Johannes Nicolas, Stouthuysen, Gwenole, Geens, Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): PAK, SUNG H
• Application Number:
  US15/512,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20170293099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44 Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables cables incorporating electric conductors and optical fibres where features relating to the optical fibres are not of interest H01B11/22
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4455 characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/46 Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/117 for multiconductor cables

Abstract

A multi-positionable tray assembly (20) for mounting within a chassis (10) of a telecommunications panel (100) is disclosed. The multi-positionable tray assembly (20) may include support arm (24) that pivotally supports a tray (22) and that allows the tray assembly (20) to be installed and removed from the chassis (10). The tray (22) and the support arm (24) cooperatively define a cable routing pathway (208) that extends through a pivot axis (A1) defined by the tray and the support arm. To minimize the required depth of the tray (10) and optimize cable routing, the tray (20) can include a cable management structure (102) with a patch panel (104) having a plurality of adapters (108) arranged along a transverse axis (A2), wherein the transverse axis is non-parallel or oblique to a front plane (A4) of the tray.

Claims

1. A multi-positionable tray assembly for mounting within a chassis of a telecommunications panel, the multi-positionable tray assembly comprising:

a) a tray configured to support at least one cable management structure; and

b) a support arm connected to and supporting the tray at a pivot joint such that the tray is rotatable about the pivot joint at a pivot axis between a folded position and an access position, the support arm being configured for removable attachment to the chassis such that the multi-positionable tray can be placed in a removed position away from the chassis and an installed position within the chassis;

c) wherein the tray and the support arm cooperatively define a cable routing pathway extending between a rear side of the tray and an open interior side of the support arm and extending between a first side of the tray and the open interior side.

2. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a) the pathway extends through the pivot axis of the pivot joint defined by the tray and the support arm.

3. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the support arm includes a first latch member for securing the support arm to the chassis, and wherein the first latch member is configured to form a snap-fit connection with the chassis.

4. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 3, wherein the support arm open interior side extends along the first and rear sides of the tray.

5. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 4, wherein the support arm includes a plurality of attachment guide members for securing the support arm to the chassis.

6. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 5, wherein the attachment guide members are configured to slide into corresponding attachment slots on the chassis.

7. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 3, wherein the tray includes a second latch member for securing the tray assembly to the chassis to retain the tray assembly in the folded position.

8. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 7, wherein the second latch member is configured to form a snap-fit connection with the chassis.

9. The multi-positionable tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the tray is configured slide into the chassis from the removed position to the installed position in a direction that is parallel to first and second sides of the tray.

10. A telecommunications panel comprising:

a) a chassis having a rear side extending between first and second sides to define an open front side; and

b) a plurality of multi-positionable tray assemblies, each of the tray assemblies including;

(i) a tray configured to support at least one cable management structure; and

(ii) a support arm connected to and supporting the tray at a pivot joint such that the tray is rotatable about the pivot joint at a pivot axis between a folded position and an access position, the support arm being configured for removable attachment to the chassis such that the multi-positionable tray can be placed in a removed position away from the chassis and an installed position within the chassis

(iii) wherein the tray and the support arm cooperatively define a cable routing pathway extending between a rear side of the tray and an open interior side of the support arm and extending between a first side of the tray and the open interior side.

11. The telecommunications panel of claim 10, wherein:

a) the cable routing pathway extends through the pivot axis of the pivot joint defined by the tray and the support arm.

12. The telecommunications panel of claim 10, wherein the support arm includes a first latch member for securing the support arm to the chassis.

13. The telecommunications panel of claim 12, wherein the first latch member is configured to form a snap-fit connection with a recess in the chassis.

14. The telecommunications panel of claim 13, wherein the support arm includes a plurality of attachment guide members for securing the support arm to the chassis.

15. The telecommunications panel of claim 14, wherein the attachment guide members are configured to slide into corresponding attachment slots on the chassis.

16. The telecommunications panel of claim 12, wherein the tray includes a second latch member for securing the tray assembly to the chassis to retain the tray assembly in the folded position.

17. The telecommunications panel of claim 16, wherein the second latch member is configured to form a snap-fit connection with a recess of the chassis.

18. The telecommunications panel of claim 10, wherein the tray is configured slide into the chassis from the removed position to the installed position in a direction that is parallel to first and second sides of the tray.

19. The telecommunications panel of claim 10, wherein the plurality of multi-positionable tray assemblies includes three multi-positionable tray assemblies.

20. The telecommunications panel of claim 10, wherein the cable management structure includes at least one splice tray and a patch panel.